Combine vs. Amalgamate — What's the Difference?

To combine means to bring together two or more elements, which may still retain their individual identities within the new structure. For example, combining ingredients in a salad means each ingredient remains distinct. On the other hand, to amalgamate typically means to merge elements so thoroughly that their individual identities are lost, much like metals forming an alloy.

When people or organizations combine efforts or resources, they generally work together towards a common goal while still functioning semi-independently. Whereas, when entities amalgamate, such as in a corporate merger, they integrate so completely that they operate as a single unit thereafter.

In terms of legal or formal usage, "combine" is often used to refer to the act of joining together without the necessity of forming a new entity. For example, a joint venture where companies come together for a specific project but remain separate entities. Conversely, "amalgamate" is used in contexts like corporate law where the resulting entity is entirely new.

Combine is often used in more casual or everyday contexts, like combining flavors in a recipe or combining efforts in a group project. Amalgamate, however, is generally reserved for more complex or scientific processes, such as the chemical amalgamation of mercury with other metals.